CBSE breaks silence on Class 12 Maths paper controversy after QR code linked to music video

QR codes are typically included on board exam papers for authentication and security verification. Several students took to various social media platforms and have expressed their views.

The CBSE Class 12th Board Exams 2026 are underway. Earlier on Monday, CBSE successfully conducted the CBSE Class 12th Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Board Exams 2025 on Monday, March 09, 2026. Soon after the exam got over, images of the question paper began circulating on social media with students alleging that the QR code printed on it redirected them to the 1987 hit song's video on YouTube.

What is CBSE's latest controversy all about?

QR codes are typically included on board exam papers for authentication and security verification. Several students took to various social media platforms and have expressed their views. While some appreciated and liked the concept, others strongly criticised it. A user wrote, "CBSE maths paper goes viral for having a QR code that leads to Rickroll's song on YouTube! Guess that's one way to make maths more 'fun'.

"The CBSE Board, India, printed a YouTube QR code on the Maths question paper and recommended it to 2.5 million students. When kids scan the QR code, they're being taken to a YouTube video called Rickroll. The education system in this country has turned into a joke," another user added.

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A QR code printed on the CBSE Class 12 mathematics question paper led to the music video of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by British singer Rick Astley. It became a classic internet prank known as "rickrolling" even as the board maintained that the security of the question paper remains uncompromised.

Rickrolling is an internet slang term for a prank where a user clicks a link disguised as something appealing but is instead directed to the music video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up". Taking to X, CBSE has finally reacted to this whole controversy.

"Many security features are provided on question papers. These include QR codes to verify the genuineness of the question paper in case of a suspected security breach. On March 9, an examination in Mathematics was conducted for class 12. In a few question paper sets, it appears that when one of the given QR codes is scanned, it links to a YouTube video," CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.

"It appears that this has raised concerns about the veracity of the question papers amongst concerned students and parents. It is confirmed that question papers are genuine and the security of the question paper remains uncompromised," he added. The board noted that while the concerns about the veracity of the question papers have been put to rest, the matter has been viewed seriously, and necessary steps are being taken by the board to ensure such issues are not repeated in future.